PLYMOUTH, Mich. -- David Carle, coach of the United States National Junior Team, dedicated the opening day of selection camp here at USA Hockey Arena practicing the way he expects his team to play at the IIHF 2024 World Junior Championship.
It was fast-paced, spirited and intense.
"It's critical that they're able to do the things that we're asking of them," Carle said. "Every drill that we do has a game element and structural element to it with how we want to play. Obviously, we work in bigger components like 5-on-5 scrimmages and drills throughout the camp that extend out into 25-30 seconds. There's going to be opportunity to evaluate them on a smaller scale and then a larger scale as well."
It's all part of the process that Carle knows is vital to finalizing the roster, which is expected to be announced Saturday.
The U.S. will depart Sunday for Sweden, where it will play two pretournament games: against the host country in Angelholm on Dec. 21, and against Canada in Kungsbacka on Dec. 23.
"Today we spent a lot of time in our own end, breaking the puck out, and how we're going to defend," Carle said. "We obviously mixed in some special teams and 5-on-5 play, but our job as coaches is to give them some form of structure so that they can be on the same page, especially so that we can get the puck back quickly. We don't want to defend long. We want to have the puck. That's what [Thursday] was about and I thought the pace was excellent throughout."
Here are three other things learned at camp Thursday:
McGroarty hopeful to play
Rutger McGroarty (Winnipeg Jets) was in a red no-contact jersey, but that didn't keep him from conducting line rushes and leading by example.
McGroarty, a sophomore forward at the University of Michigan, sustained an upper-body injury after landing awkwardly against the boards following a hit in a 6-4 win against Penn State on Nov. 17. He was taken off the ice on a stretcher and has since been working his way back into form.
"Obviously, I took a pretty big hit, so mentally, I'm feeling good and everybody's been there for me," McGroarty said. "I mean, the USA Hockey staff, the Michigan staff, I've worked with some very high-end doctors, and they've been great in helping me. So I feel like it's just how I feel mentally and obviously the doctors have to clear me."
Carle is optimistic that McGroarty will be ready when the U.S. plays its tournament opener against Norway on Dec. 26. McGroarty had seven points (one goal, six assists) in seven games at the 2023 WJC.
"Nothing's determined at this point, but it was obviously great to see him out there," Carle said. "I think the fact he's even here, at this stage, we're optimistic because it was a tough hit. I think it's impressive and credit to him, the medical team at Michigan and the people surrounding him."
Pushing the pace
It was interesting to see Zeev Buium (2024 NHL Draft eligible) and Seamus Casey (New Jersey Devils) working as a defense pair Thursday.
If that holds to form, Buium, who plays for the University of Denver, and Casey, of the University of Michigan, could prove to be the highest-scoring defense pair of this year's tournament. That pair also is confirmation that Carle wants to establish a fast transition from defense to offense.
"We want to have the puck a lot, so hanging on to the puck, possessing the puck, attacking with the puck, are important," Carle said. "We'll preach that through camp, and we'll see that in the tournament."
Buium, who is coached by Carle at Denver, leads NCAA Division I defensemen with 25 points (five goals, 20 assists) in 18 games, and Casey is second with 23 points (four goals, 19 assists) in 18 games.
"Everyone's super good offensively and highly offensive-minded (on defense),” Buium said, “so I think on a team like this, you're going to need to shut plays down. Everyone's going to need to buy in defensively. In doing that, you have the best chance to win that gold medal, so everyone's kind of on that same page. [Carle] does a great job of kind of simplifying what we need to do the [defensive] zone and the structure we need to play."
Gauthier goodness
Cutter Gauthier (Philadelphia Flyers) might be the most versatile player at camp.
Capable of playing wing or center, the 19-year-old sophomore forward at Boston College will once again be expected to generate offense in multiple roles. He has 23 points (13 goals, 10 assists) in 17 games as a center with the Eagles this season.
Carle said he and his staff are still determining what position Gauthier is best suited for in the tournament.
"It's a conversation we've had internally with him, as well, and I think that's still to be determined once the final group comes together," Carle said.
Gauthier didn't seem too preoccupied with the subject when asked. He had 10 points (four goals, six assists) in seven games playing left wing at the 2023 WJC.
"Just whatever Coach wants ... I'd like to be that versatile player, playing left wing or playing center," Gauthier said. "Today I was playing center out there, a position I've been used this season with Boston College. It's been working out, so I don't really have a preference. Whatever coach feels comfortable with."
USA HOCKEY SELECTION CAMP ROSTER
GOALIES: * Trey Augustine, Michigan State, NCAA (Detroit Red Wings); Jacob Fowler, Boston College, NCAA (Montreal Canadiens); Samuel Hillebrandt, Barrie, OHL (2024 draft eligible)
DEFENSEMEN: Zeev Buium, Denver, NCAA (2024 draft eligible); * Seamus Casey, Michigan, NCAA (New Jersey Devils); * Ryan Chesley, Minnesota, NCAA (Washington Capitals); Drew Fortescue, Boston College NCAA (New York Rangers); Patrick Geary, Michigan State, NCAA (2024 draft eligible); * Lane Hutson, Boston University, NCAA (Montreal Canadiens); Jake Livanavage, North Dakota, NCAA (2024 draft eligible); Aram Minnetian, Boston College, NCAA (Dallas Stars); Eric Pohlkamp, Bemidji State, NCAA (San Jose Sharks); Sam Rinzel, Minnesota, NCAA (Chicago Blackhawks)
FORWARDS: * Gavin Brindley, Michigan, NCAA (Columbus Blue Jackets); Quinn Finley, Wisconsin, NCAA (New York Islanders); * Cutter Gauthier, Boston College, NCAA (Philadelphia Flyers); James Hagens, USA U-18, NTDP (2025 draft eligible); Gavin Hayes, Flint, OHL (Chicago Blackhawks); Isaac Howard, Michigan State, NCAA (Tampa Bay Lightning); Ryan Leonard, Boston College, NCAA (Washington Capitals); * Rutger McGroarty, Michigan, NCAA (Winnipeg Jets); Oliver Moore, Minnesota, NCAA (Chicago Blackhawks); Frank Nazar, Michigan, NCAA (Chicago Blackhawks); Danny Nelson, Notre Dame, NCAA (New York Islanders); Gabe Perreault, Boston College, NCAA (New York Rangers); Will Smith, Boston College, NCAA (San Jose Sharks); * Jimmy Snuggerud, Minnesota, NCAA (St. Louis Blues); Carey Terrance, Erie, OHL (Anaheim Ducks); William Whitelaw, Wisconsin, NCAA (Columbus Blue Jackets)
* -- Denotes returning player
